Matthias Alexis Roche de Fermoy, born in the West Indies in 1737, was
the thirty-fourth on the list of Continental brigadier-generals, his
commission bearing date the 5th of November, 1776. On coming to this
country and offering his services to Congress, Fermoy represented
himself to be a colonel of engineers in the French army. While serving
under Washington in the Trenton and Princeton campaigns, he was ordered
on the 1st of January, 1777, to hold an advanced post on Mile Run,
beyond Maidenhead, now Lawrenceville. That same night, however, leaving
his command, he returned to Trenton,--a breach of discipline that
under the circumstances was most reprehensible. Ordered North to join
the army under Gates, by direction of Congress, and notwithstanding a
protest from Washington, he was placed in command of Fort Independence,
opposite Fort Ticonderoga. When St. Clair found it necessary to abandon
the latter post, Fermoy, in defiance of the express orders of the
commanding officer, set fire to his quarters on Mount Independence at
two o’clock on the morning of the 6th of July, 1777, thus revealing
to Burgoyne St. Clair’s retreat, which otherwise would have been
accomplished in safety. In December, he applied for promotion to the
rank of major-general,--a request which Congress refused. Displeased at
this action, Fermoy requested permission to resign, which was granted
on the 31st of January, 1778, Congress at the same time appropriating
$800 to pay his debts and enable him to return to the West Indies.